The community is invited to celebrate the power of young people to change their own stories through the International School of Minnesota’s (ISM) upcoming production of “Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical Jr.”
In a unique show featuring a number of “magical” surprises, ISM students will explore what showrunners call a “gleefully witty ode to the anarchy of childhood and the power of imagination.” With the help of the students at her new school, Matilda teaches some grown-ups that “even if you’re little, you can do a lot.”
Alex West, the musical’s director, said, “‘Matilda’ is a show about making magic in the face of your own perceived lack of power. It’s a show about rewriting your story, of making an ending that isn’t just good for you, but good for your community. It’s a story I know many of our students resonate with, and one I think our audiences deserve to see, even if it’s just to remember that there is still magic in this world, and sometimes it’s up to you to make it happen.”
West said “Matilda” is a show that “employs a lot of magic,” and the tech crew has been hard at work to bring that magic to the stage.
“These are the kinds of technical challenges I haven’t gotten the chance to take for a spin in my 15 years of directing, and I can’t wait for our audience to see what we’ve done to make it happen,” West said.
Performances will take place at the Leila C. Saad Performing Arts Center at ISM, 6345 Beach Road, Eden Prairie. Shows are at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 3, and Friday, April 4, and at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, April 5, and Sunday, April 6. Tickets are $8 for students and children and $15 for adults.
Diverse cast unites under ‘universal umbrella of artistic expression’
Although West has been directing for a long time, this is his first musical for ISM. He said working with the school’s diverse student body has been a unique opportunity: “It’s been really eye-opening to see these students come together under the universal umbrella of artistic expression.”
This year’s show features 32 cast members and five crew members, ranging from grades 1 to 12. Almost half of the performers will be making their stage debut, with many upper school students performing for the first time.
Having so many talented students appear for their first performance is a testament to how much ISM nurtures the creative spirit of their student body, West said.
“Acting in a musical is a huge commitment, and these kids have shown a lot of bravery and dedication to the craft in choosing this to be their first production,” he said.
West said he was impressed by how hard the cast and crew have worked over the past three months to bring the show to life, and he expressed appreciation for the many parent volunteers and ISM staff who helped make it happen.
“I want to thank them all for their dedication, their support, and lending their many talents to make this show the best it can be,” he said.
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